Compact Discs are everywhere. When you visit a household or office, it is almost impossible not to find at least one CD on the desk shelf. Compact Disc remains one of the best storage mediums for audio, video, and other data since its commercial release in 1982. Today it is still the standard physical storage medium for audio.
If you are wondering how CD’s are manufactured, here is a quick overview of the procedures involved in manufacturing CDs for replication, for CD Duplication there is a different process.
PRE-MASTERING
This simply involves putting together the data and ensuring that they correctly follow the ISO standards. We make sure that the specific details and format of the source would transfer to CD correctly. In this stage, we also integrate the copy protection system.
GLASS MASTERING
It is called Glass Mastering because glass is used as a substrate to hold the CD master image while it is created and processed. This is performed in a self-enclosed clean environment within the mastering system in order to prevent errors. The glass master is covered with a photosensitive layer where the customer’s album details can be engraved by laser light.
ELECTROFORMING
The sensitive metalized glass master is extremely easy to damage and must be transferred to a tougher form. This is achieved by adding a layer of nickel on the glass master by means of electrolysis. The nickel layer is then separated from the glass base to recover the negative of the CD.
REPLICATION
When the mould is ready, the CD can now be replicated. Liquefied polycarbonate is injected into the mould and a compact disc is created.
METALLIZATION
In this stage, the CD is covered with a thin layer of aluminum. It serves as mirror to reflect the laser light back so information. This is done so that the CD will be readable.
VARNISHING & PRINTING
The CD is coated with a layer of varnish to make it less susceptible to scratching and scratching. The lacquer envelops the aluminum and seals it from the elements to make the CD less fragile. Afterward, the CDs are ready for printing. The artist’s name, texts, logos, and many others are stamped on the CD. This is usually done with a silkscreen.